In order to determine the source of organic matter and the fingerprint of the oil components, 50 samples collected from the near-surface sediments of the oil spill area in Bohai Sea, China, were analyzed for grain size, total organic carbon, aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The concentrations of C15–35 n-alkanes and 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) priority pollutant PAHs were found in the ranges of 0.88–3.48μg g−1 and 9.97–490.13ng/g, respectively. The terrestrial organic matters characterized by C27–C35 n-alkanes and PAHs, resulting from the combustion of higher plants, are dominantly contributed from the transportation of these plants by rivers. Marine organic matters produced from plankton and aquatic plants were represented by C17–C26 n-alkanes in AHs. Crude oil, characterized by C17–C21 n-alkanes, unresolved complex mixture (UCM) with a mean response factor of C19 n-alkanes, low levels of perylene, and a high InP/(InP+BghiP) ratio, seeped into the oceans from deep hydrocarbon reservoirs, as a result of geological faults.

A geographically extensive baseline survey of sediment contamination was undertaken at twenty nine locations around Kuwait. Samples were assessed in relation to a wide range of industrial pollutants, including metals, PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDs. The data generated indicated that levels of pollutants were generally low and below commonly applied sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). However, naturally high background concentrations of certain metals present in sediment from the region may prohibit the direct assessment against some of the routinely applied SQGs. Hot spots of contamination were identified for PAHs, PCBs and PBDEs, that were mainly associated with the Shuaiba Industrial Area, located south of the city, and known to contain a diverse mix of both light and heavy industry.

This paper reports the impact of oil spills and tar-ball pollution on the coastal ecosystem of Goa. The factors responsible for degrading the marine ecosystem of the Goan coastline are analyzed. Uncontrolled activities were found to degrade the marine and coastal biodiversity, in turn polluting all beaches. This had a direct impact on the Goan economy through a decline in tourism. The government must adopt the necessary control measures to restore Goan beaches and the surrounding coastal areas.

A one-dimensional wave model is combined with an analytical sediment transport model to investigate the likely influence of sea-level rise on net cross-shore sediment transport on fetch-limited barrier reef and lagoon island beaches. The modelling considers if changes in the nearshore wave height and wave period in the lagoon induced by different water levels over the reef flat are likely to lead to net offshore or onshore movement of sediment. The results indicate that the effects of SLR on net sediment movement are highly variable and controlled by the bathymetry of the reef and lagoon. A significant range of reef-lagoon bathymetry, and notably shallow and narrow reefs, appears to lead hydrodynamic conditions and beaches that are likely to be stable or even accrete under SLR. Loss of reef structural complexity, particularly on the reef flat, increases the chance of sediment transport away from beaches and offshore.

Due to the rapid population growth, anthropogenic activities result in agricultural, industrial, and urban diffuse runoffs that elevate the level of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in coastal waters. Currently there is no integrated analysis for coastal eutrophication in Taiwan. A comprehensive analysis of the coastal eutrophic status was performed in this study based on decade-long coastal water quality monitoring data from Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration. A 3-tiered monitoring strategy is recommended based on the severity of the current eutrophication state. Results indicate that the most problematic area of coastal eutrophication is located in the estuary of the Donggang River (DGR) and its adjacent coastal waters, i.e., the Kao-Ping mouth (KPM) and Dapeng Bay (DPB) in south-western Taiwan. With a worsening eutrophic status, these areas demand intensive monitoring and research with higher spatial and temporal resolutions to evaluate the stresses of nutrient forcing and predict possible future responses.

This paper reports on the distribution of three natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K in coastal sediments from Pattipulam to Devanampattinam along the East coast of Tamilnadu to establish baseline data for future environmental monitoring. Sediment samples were collected by a Peterson grab samples from 10m water depth parallel to the shore line. Concentration of natural radionuclides were determined using a NaI(Tl) detector based γ-spectrometry. The mean activity concentration is ⩽2.21, 14.29 and 360.23Bqkg−1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The average activity of 232Th, 238U and 40K is lower when compared to the world average value. Radiological hazard parameters were estimated based on the activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K to find out any radiation hazard associated with the sediments. The radiological hazard parameters such as radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed gamma dose rates in air (DR), the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), external hazard index (Hex) internal hazard index (Hin), activity utilization index (AUI) and excess lifetime cancer (ELCR) associated with the radionuclides were calculated and compared with internationally approved values and the recommended safety limits. Pearson correlation, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) have been applied in order to recognize and classify radiological parameters in sediments collected at 22 sites on East coast of Tamilnadu. The values of radiation hazard parameters were comparable to the world averages and below the recommended values. Therefore, coastal sediments do not to pose any significant radiological health risk to the people living in nearby areas along East coast of Tamilnadu. The data obtained in this study will serve as a baseline data in natural radionuclide concentration in sediments along the coastal East coast of Tamilnadu.

Particle number concentrations and size distribution of atmospheric aerosol particles were measured in the range 6560nm by a fast mobility particle sizer in Toledo, Spain, and in the outskirts of nearby small villages within the area of influence of a cement factory, quarries and ceramic industries. Several measurement campaigns have been carried out in different days in Toledo (April, May and July) and one campaign in “Comarca de la Sagra” in July. In each campaign, measurement of 10–15 min has been achieved in several different points. In addition, a campaign of continuous measurements has been carried out in Toledo. The average number concentration in Toledo are consistent with other urban measurements, with lower values during the night–time ranging from 3×103 to 1×104 particles/cm3 and higher average levels during daytime ranging from 5×103 to 4×104 particles/cm3 depending on the measurement site and date. The measurement sites show similar background profiles of the particle size distributions with two clear particle modes centered in the sizes ranges 10–15 and 40–50nm. Road traffic is postulated as the main source of submicron particles, giving lower level of particles during the summer time. Results from continuous measurements have been analyzed. On the other hand, the low total concentrations obtained in the “Comarca de la Sagra” campaign, ranging from 1.5×103 to 3.1×103 particles/cm3 with an average value of 2.3×103 particles/cm3, show a negligible influence of the different building materials industries on the total submicron particle concentration in the surrounding area and in Toledo.

Ten years of aerosol and Radon–222 (radon) data from Gosan, Korea, were analyzed. Seasonal cycles were strongly linked to changes in fetch and time of year. We estimated that 7.21t/m y of PMio aerosol pass Gosan in the atmospheric boundary layer, increasing annually by 0.3t/m y. Contributions to aerosol loading were characterized by fetch: South China, North China, Korea and Japan. While the highest, and most variable, contributions typically originated from South China, these air masses contributed to only 6% of the overall dataset. PM10 distributions were broader from South and North China than for Korea or Japan, reflecting differences in natural/anthropogenic soil sources, and number/distribution of large point sources. Employing radon to select air masses more representative of targeted fetch regions typically resulted in greater reported pollutant concentrations and rates of change over the decade. Estimated rates of PM10 increase from North China and Korea over the decade were 1.4 and 0.9μg/m3 y, respectively. Total suspended particulate (TSP) elemental analysis indicated that the (non–sea–salt) nss–SO42− content of aerosols has been gradually increasing over the past decade and more recently an increase in NO3− was seen. However, on average, rates of increase in nss–SO42− have reduced since 2007, which were higher in South than North China.

Seawater samples at 54 stations in the year 2011–2012 from Chidiyatappu, Port Blair, Rangat and Aerial Bays of Andaman Sea, have been investigated in the present study. Datasets obtained have been converted into simple maps using coastal water quality index (CWQI) and Geographical Information System (GIS) based overlay mapping technique to demarcate healthy and polluted areas. Analysis of multiple parameters revealed poor water quality in Port Blair and Rangat Bays. The anthropogenic activities may be the likely cause for poor water quality. Whereas, good water quality was witnessed at Chidiyatappu Bay. Higher CWQI scores were perceived in the open sea. However, less exploitation of coastal resources owing to minimal anthropogenic activity indicated good water quality index at Chidiyatappu Bay. This study is an attempt to integrate CWQI and GIS based mapping technique to derive a reliable, simple and useful output for water quality monitoring in coastal environment.

Between 2008 and 2011, twelve metals from 384 coastal waters samples from San Jorge Bay (Antofagasta, northern Chile) were collected and analyzed. The goal was to evaluate the quality of the bay's water bodies according to the current Chilean Quality Guideline and to establish background levels for these metals.The result suggests that the coastal waters of San Jorge Bay are of very good quality suitable for recreational activities involving human body contact. The natural background thresholds established for this bay were significantly lower than primary and secondary water quality guidelines. The distribution of Cu, Zn and Pb, along the bay's coastline provides evidence of the effects of industrial activity. Both situations suggest that the threshold indicated in the environmental guidelines of the Chilean legislation may be overestimated and do not represent pollution-free environments.